New Trached Patients
JUST BEFORE HOSPITAL DISCHARGE...
A Respiratory Therapist or Nurse will show you and/or your caregiver all aspects of tracheostomy care before you are discharged.
Although it may be unusual for family members to perform skilled clinical care while you're still in hospital we were fortunate to have a nursing team and Respiratory Therapist who welcomed the opportunity to not only show me, but to permit me to clean and suction Dean's new tracheostomy.
As you're packing your bags to be discharged your Respiratory Specialist should ensure a smooth transition from hospital to home by providing you with a 7-14 day supply of disposable supplies to take home, which includes, tracheostomy masks, suctioning hoses, yank etc. known as a 'trach kit'.
MAKE YOUR TRANSITION HOME SMOOTHER:
1. Designate two areas in your home as your ‘Trach Stations’. This is where you will set up your supplies. Our main 'Trach Station' was in our upstairs bedroom while the second was on the main floor in our living room.
2. Keep a complete supply of products in a travel tote bag for when you go out.
3. Keep a notebook or day calendar at your main 'station'. If you use a notebook be sure to write the date at the top of the page.
a. Each time you nebulize your nose, mouth & Trach write the time into the notebook/calendar
b. Write down the day & time of each medication you take.
c. Write down each time you vomit.
d. Write down each time you suction.
e. Write down each time you clean your trach tube and stoma.
f. Make note of any increase in mucus, color change or change in thickness in your secretions.
g. Make note of bowel movements or lack of in your notebook.
h. Write down all upcoming medical appointments.
4. Take your day Calendar to every doctor’s appointment, MRI, CatScan appointment etc., doing so helped our medical team better address Dean’s needs.
5. Contact your power company, ask them to place your address in their database as a home that needs power for medical reasons. If the power goes out, your power company will (should) ensure your power is restored ASAP! If you live as we did, in a hurrican prone area, generators provide peace of mind.
The above may look like a lot of work or appear overwhelming, but once established you and your medical team will work as a well oiled machine!
A Respiratory Therapist or Nurse will show you and/or your caregiver all aspects of tracheostomy care before you are discharged.
Although it may be unusual for family members to perform skilled clinical care while you're still in hospital we were fortunate to have a nursing team and Respiratory Therapist who welcomed the opportunity to not only show me, but to permit me to clean and suction Dean's new tracheostomy.
As you're packing your bags to be discharged your Respiratory Specialist should ensure a smooth transition from hospital to home by providing you with a 7-14 day supply of disposable supplies to take home, which includes, tracheostomy masks, suctioning hoses, yank etc. known as a 'trach kit'.
MAKE YOUR TRANSITION HOME SMOOTHER:
1. Designate two areas in your home as your ‘Trach Stations’. This is where you will set up your supplies. Our main 'Trach Station' was in our upstairs bedroom while the second was on the main floor in our living room.
2. Keep a complete supply of products in a travel tote bag for when you go out.
3. Keep a notebook or day calendar at your main 'station'. If you use a notebook be sure to write the date at the top of the page.
a. Each time you nebulize your nose, mouth & Trach write the time into the notebook/calendar
b. Write down the day & time of each medication you take.
c. Write down each time you vomit.
d. Write down each time you suction.
e. Write down each time you clean your trach tube and stoma.
f. Make note of any increase in mucus, color change or change in thickness in your secretions.
g. Make note of bowel movements or lack of in your notebook.
h. Write down all upcoming medical appointments.
4. Take your day Calendar to every doctor’s appointment, MRI, CatScan appointment etc., doing so helped our medical team better address Dean’s needs.
5. Contact your power company, ask them to place your address in their database as a home that needs power for medical reasons. If the power goes out, your power company will (should) ensure your power is restored ASAP! If you live as we did, in a hurrican prone area, generators provide peace of mind.
The above may look like a lot of work or appear overwhelming, but once established you and your medical team will work as a well oiled machine!